Method of mixing exhaust gas exiting an exhaust stack outlet with cooling air exiting a cooling package outlet and machine using same

ABSTRACT

A machine includes an internal combustion engine disposed within an engine compartment and supported on a machine frame. An exhaust stack has an inlet fluidly connected to an exhaust manifold of the internal combustion engine and an outlet in fluid communication with ambient air. A diesel particulate filter is disposed along the exhaust stack. A cooling package includes at least one heat exchanger and a blower fan. The blower fan is configured to blow cooling air from the engine compartment sequentially through the at least one heat exchanger and an outlet of the cooling package. Exhaust gas exiting the exhaust stack outlet is mixed with the cooling air exiting the cooling package outlet in a high temperature zone surrounding the exhaust stack outlet to form a fluid mixture, and a temperature of the fluid mixture at a perimeter of the high temperature zone is below 200 degrees Celsius.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to the mixing of exhaust gasexiting an exhaust stack outlet with cooling air exiting a coolingpackage outlet to form a fluid mixture, and more particularly toreducing a temperature of the fluid mixture within a high temperaturezone surrounding the exhaust stack outlet.

BACKGROUND

Skid steer machines are relatively compact, low profile machines thatoffer high maneuverability and enable operation in relatively smallareas. They typically include an operator seat oriented in a positionproviding a view immediately in front of the skid steer machine. Alsotypical of skid steer designs is the location of the lift arms forcarrying and lifting a material handling bucket, also referred to as aloader, or other implement. The lift arms typically extendlongitudinally on both sides of and immediately adjacent the operatorseat. An operator cage, therefore, is typically provided to ensureagainst an operator inadvertently extending a hand or limb to the sideand into the path of the lift arms. Due to the location of the liftarms, the operator enclosure is typically entered from the front of themachine, across the bucket or other implement that is carried by thelift arms.

A rear mounted engine compartment is positioned behind the operator cageand is limited in space due to the small size and low profile design ofthe skid steer machines. Recent governmental regulations have prompteddevelopment and application of exhaust aftertreatment systems to reduceparticulate matter emissions from many on-highway and off-highwayvehicles, including skid steer machines. Exhaust aftertreatment systemsfor diesel engines typically include a diesel particulate filter. Adiesel particulate filter generally consists of a ceramic honeycombstructure that is surrounded by a non-permeable skin layer and includesnumerous channels that are blocked at alternate ends. This structureforces exhaust gas to flow through the porous walls between thechannels, leaving particulate matter deposited on the walls.Periodically, or once a substantial amount of particulate matter iscollected within the diesel particulate filter, it must be cleaned outto prevent blockage. The process of removing the accumulated particulatematter from the diesel particulate filter is referred to generally asregeneration.

U.S. Publication No. 2010/0043412 to Dickinson et al. discloses anexhaust diffuser for a truck that is configured to reduce exhausttemperatures during regeneration of a diesel particulate filter.Specifically, the exhaust diffuser generally includes a venturi openingand a mixing section located downstream from the venturi opening. Themixing section includes a multiplicity of holes for diffusing anddiluting the exhaust gases to the atmosphere. The cited reference,however, does not disclose a strategy for packaging a diesel particulatefilter within a skid steer machine and/or a strategy for directingairflow relative to the diesel particulate filter.

The present disclosure is directed to one or more of the problems setforth above.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect, a machine includes an internal combustion engine disposedwithin an engine compartment and supported on a machine frame. Anexhaust stack has an inlet fluidly connected to an exhaust manifold ofthe internal combustion engine and an outlet in fluid communication withambient air. A diesel particulate filter is disposed along the exhauststack. A cooling package includes at least one heat exchanger and ablower fan. The blower fan is configured to blow cooling air from theengine compartment sequentially through the at least one heat exchangerand an outlet of the cooling package. Exhaust gas exiting the exhauststack outlet is mixed with the cooling air exiting the cooling packageoutlet in a high temperature zone surrounding the exhaust stack outletto form a fluid mixture, and a temperature of the fluid mixture at aperimeter of the high temperature zone is below 200 degrees Celsius.

In another aspect, a method of operating a machine includes exhaustingcooling air from a blower fan through a cooling package outlet. Exhaustgas is exhausted through an exhaust stack outlet at an exhausttemperature above 300 degrees Celsius. The exhaust gas is mixed with thecooling air in a high temperature zone surrounding the exhaust stackoutlet to form a fluid mixture, and a temperature of the fluid mixtureat a perimeter of the high temperature zone is reduced below 200 degreesCelsius.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a skid steer machine, according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side diagrammatic view of the skid steer machine of FIG. 1,having portions removed to reveal internal components of the machine,according to one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the exhaust system depicted in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side diagrammatic view of the cooling package depicted inFIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cooling package including a unitaryassembly, according to another aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a top diagrammatic view of the cooling package of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cooling package of FIG. 5, shown inan operational position with respect to a machine;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cooling package of FIG. 5, shown ina maintenance position with respect to a machine;

FIG. 9 is a side diagrammatic view of the skid steer machine of FIG. 1,having portions removed to better illustrate a strategy for mixingexhaust gas with cooling air, according to another aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of one embodiment of a method of controlling aregeneration event, according to another aspect of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of another embodiment of a method of controllinga regeneration event, according to another aspect of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An exemplary embodiment of a skid steer machine 10 according to thepresent disclosure is shown generally in FIG. 1. The skid steer machine10, also referred to as a skid steer loader, generally includes anoperator cage 12 supported on a skid steer machine frame 14. A pair oflift arms 16 are pivotably attached to the skid steer machine frame 14and extend longitudinally on both sides 18 of the operator cage 12. Thelift arms 16 attach at pivot points 20 behind the operator cage 12 ofthe skid steer machine 10, and may support a bucket 22, or loader, or avariety of other implements or attachments, such as, for example, palletforks, brooms, grinders, tillers, rakes, blades, or augers. The skidsteer machine 10 may be propelled by a first set of wheels 24 on oneside of the machine 10 that are driven independently from a second setof wheels (not shown) on the other side of the machine 10.Alternatively, however, the skid steer machine 10 according to thepresent disclosure may have a tracked undercarriage, and may, outside ofthis document, be referred to as a multi-terrain loader or a compactloader.

The skid steer machine 10 also includes a rear mounted enginecompartment 26 supported on the skid steer machine frame 14. “Rearmounted,” as used herein with reference to the engine compartment 26,means that the engine compartment 26 is positioned closer to a back end28 of the skid steer machine 10 than a front end 30 of the machine 10,and, more specifically, is mounted behind the operator cage 12 relativeto the front end 30 of the machine 10. The rear mounted enginecompartment 26 will be discussed in greater detail with reference toFIG. 2 and may include a pair of sidewalls 32, as shown in the exemplaryembodiment.

Turning now to FIG. 2, the rear mounted engine compartment 26 of theskid steer machine 10 is shown, with portions of the skid steer machine10, including sidewall 32 and lift arm 16, removed to expose internalcomponents of the machine 10. The rear mounted engine compartment 26 maygenerally include at least those engine components positioned adjacentor within an area defined by a top portion 40, bottom portion 42, frontportion 44, back portion 46, and side portions 48 of the enginecompartment 26. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, therear mounted engine compartment 26 includes at least an internalcombustion engine 50, an exhaust system 52 including a dieselparticulate filter 54, and a cooling system 56 including a coolingpackage 58, all of which will be discussed later in greater detail.Although only a few components within the rear mounted enginecompartment 26 will be specifically discussed herein, it should beappreciated that the rear mounted engine compartment 26 may includeadditional systems and components, depending on a particularapplication.

The cooling package 58 may define at least a portion of the top portion40 of the rear mounted engine compartment 26, while a portion of theskid steer machine frame 14 may generally define the bottom portion 42of the rear mounted engine compartment 26. The front portion 44 of therear mounted engine compartment 26 may be defined by a rear wall 60 ofthe operator cage 12 or, alternatively, by a firewall 62, which may bepositioned between the diesel particulate filter 54 and the rear wall60. According to the exemplary embodiment, the firewall 62 may bepositioned to separate certain systems and/or components within the rearmounted engine compartment 26. For example, the internal combustionengine 50, diesel particulate filter 54, and other high temperaturecomponents may be positioned on a high temperature side 64 of thefirewall 62, while temperature sensitive components, such as, forexample, electrical, hydraulic, and HVAC components, may be positionedon a shielded side 66 of the firewall 62. It is recommended that certaintemperature sensitive components, such as, for example, electroniccontrollers, relays, harnesses, fuses, batteries, and plastic or rubbercomponents, not be placed within 12 to 24 inches from the dieselparticulate filter 54 without appropriate shielding or insulation. Arear facing grille 68 is positioned at, and may define at least aportion of, the back portion 46 of the rear mounted engine compartment26, and may include a framework or structure for covering the backportion 46 of the rear mounted engine compartment 26 while stillallowing the passage of air therethrough. The sidewalls 32, showngenerally in FIG. 1, may define the side portions 48 of the rear mountedengine compartment 26.

The skid steer machine 10 may also include at least one electroniccontrol module 70 in control communication with one or more componentsof the skid steer machine 10, including components of the rear mountedengine compartment 26. The electronic control module 70 may bepositioned on the shielded side 66 of the firewall 62 and, thus, may beprotected from high temperatures within the rear mounted enginecompartment 26. The electronic control module 70, and any otherelectronic control modules described herein, may be of standard designand may generally include a processor, such as, for example, a centralprocessing unit, a memory, and an input/output circuit that facilitatescommunication internal and external to the electronic control module 70.The central processing unit may control operation of the electroniccontrol module 70 by executing operating instructions, such as, forexample, programming code stored in memory, wherein operations may beinitiated internally or externally to the electronic control module 70.A control scheme may be utilized that monitors outputs of systems ordevices, such as, for example, sensors, actuators, or control units, viathe input/output circuit to control inputs to various other systems ordevices.

The memory may comprise temporary storage areas, such as, for example,cache, virtual memory, or random access memory, or permanent storageareas, such as, for example, read-only memory, removable drives,network/internet storage, hard drives, flash memory, memory sticks, orany other known volatile or non-volatile data storage devices locatedinternally or externally to the electronic control module 70. Oneskilled in the art will appreciate that any computer-based systemutilizing similar components is suitable for use with the presentdisclosure.

Turning now to 3, and referring also to FIG. 2, the exhaust system 52 ofthe skid steer machine 10 may include an exhaust manifold 80 fluidlyconnected to the internal combustion engine 50. According to theexemplary embodiment, a portion of exhaust gas exiting the internalcombustion engine 50 may be routed through an exhaust gas recirculationsystem 82. Exhaust gas recirculation systems, such as system 82, areknown and may include an exhaust gas recirculation conduit 84, and oneor more additional components, through which the exhaust gas is routedbefore being reintroduced into the internal combustion engine 50.Although an exhaust gas recirculation system 82 is shown, it should beappreciated that the exhaust system 52 may not include such arecirculation system and, therefore, all of the exhaust gas may bedirected out of the rear mounted engine compartment 26.

All or a portion of the exhaust gas may be routed through a turbocharger86, along an exhaust gas conduit 88, and then through the dieselparticulate filter 54 before being expelled from the skid steer machine10. Specifically, all or a portion of the exhaust gas leaving theexhaust manifold 80 may pass through a turbine wheel of the turbocharger86 to make it rotate. The rotation of the wheel turns a shaft, which, inturn, rotates a compressor wheel of the turbocharger 86. The rotation ofthe compressor wheel pulls in ambient air and compresses it before it isintroduced into the internal combustion engine 50. From the turbineportion of the turbocharger 86, the exhaust gas flows through theexhaust gas conduit 88 and into the diesel particulate filter 54.

The diesel particulate filter 54, which may have a substantiallyhorizontal orientation with a centerline oriented transverse to afore-aft line, as shown, may generally include a container 90, or can,having a gas inlet 92 and a gas outlet 94. According to one embodiment,the can 90 may support a ceramic honeycomb structure that is surroundedby a non-permeable skin layer and includes numerous channels that areblocked at alternate ends. This structure forces exhaust gas to flowthrough the porous walls between the channels, leaving particulatematter deposited on the walls. Periodically, or once a substantialamount of particulate matter is collected within the diesel particulatefilter 54, it must be cleaned out to prevent blockage. The process ofremoving the accumulated particulate matter, or soot, from the dieselparticulate filter 54 is referred to generally as regeneration.

Regeneration may be either passive or active. Passive regeneration takesplace automatically when the exhaust temperature is high enough, whileactive regeneration includes a variety of means for actively increasingthe exhaust temperature to perform regeneration. For example, an activeregeneration system 95 may employ a heating device 96, fuel burner, orcatalytic oxidizer to increase the exhaust temperature. Further, anelectronic control module 97 may be in control communication with asensor 98, such as a backpressure sensor or temperature sensor, via oneor more communication channels 99 to detect a soot buildup thresholdwithin the diesel particulate filter 54 and may be operable to initiateregeneration by communicating with heating device 96 via one or morecommunication channels 100. Whatever strategy is used to regenerate thediesel particulate filter 54, it should be appreciated that the exhaustgas and/or diesel particulate filter 54, may be heated to very hightemperatures.

From the diesel particulate filter 54, the exhaust gas may be routedthrough an exhaust stack 102 having a first end 104 attached to thediesel particulate filter 54 and a second end 106 positioned through thetop portion 40 of the rear mounted engine compartment 26 (shown in FIG.2). Specifically, the exhaust stack second end 106, or outlet, may be influid communication with ambient air. As shown, the exhaust stack 102may include a venturi opening 108. A venturi opening 108, the use ofwhich is well known in the art, draws in air from the rear mountedengine compartment 26 to cool the exhaust gas. According to theexemplary embodiment, the exhaust gas, which may be cooled by enginecompartment air entrained into the exhaust gas through the venturiopening 108, is exhausted upward through the top portion 40 of the rearmounted engine compartment 26. Specifically, the exhaust gas may beexhausted predominantly vertically relative to the skid steer machineframe 14. However, the exhaust gas may be directed from the dieselparticulate filter 54 through other portions of the rear mounted enginecompartment 26.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, and referring also toFIG. 2, the diesel particulate filter 54 is positioned between theinternal combustion engine 50 and the operator cage 12. As used herein,“between” means in the space separating two objects. Specifically, thediesel particulate filter 54 is between the internal combustion engine50 and operator cage 12, and within the rear mounted engine compartment26. More specifically, the diesel particulate filter 54 may bepositioned between a vertical central axis A₁ of the internal combustionengine 50 and a vertical central axis A₂ of the operator cage 12, andwithin the rear mounted engine compartment 26. The significance of thepackaging of the diesel particulate filter 54 within the rear mountedengine compartment 26 will be discussed in greater detail below.

Turning now to FIG. 4, and referring also to FIG. 2, the cooling package58 of cooling system 56, according to one aspect of the presentdisclosure, is shown in greater detail. The cooling package 58 maygenerally include one or more heat exchangers 120 positioned in parallelwith respect to an airflow. A shroud 122 may be connected to at leastone of the heat exchangers 120, and a blower fan 124 may be positionedwithin the shroud 122. In addition, a grille 126 may be positionedaround the blower fan 124 and connected to the shroud 122. The blowerfan 124 may be driven by a drive mechanism 128, which may include anymeans for rotating the blower fan 124, such as, for example, an electricmotor or a hydraulic motor. Alternatively, the blower fan 124 may berotatably driven by the internal combustion engine 50. According to oneembodiment, the blower fan 124 may be electronically controlled, meaningthat it is in control communication with an electronic control module130 via one or more communication channels 132.

According to this aspect of the present disclosure, the cooling package58 has a predominantly horizontal orientation, meaning that it is morehorizontal than it is vertical, and the blower fan 124 has a centralaxis A₃ that is predominantly vertical relative to the skid steermachine frame 14. The blower fan 124 is configured to blow air from therear mounted engine compartment 26 sequentially through the one or moreheat exchangers 120 and the top portion 40 of the rear mounted enginecompartment 26. According to one embodiment, the cooling package 58 mayinclude a charge air cooler 134, a fuel cooler 136, a radiator 138, anda hydraulic oil cooler 140 arranged in parallel, or positioned along asingle plane, with regard to an airflow. However, it should beappreciated that the cooling package 58 may include any number of heatexchangers 120, each of which may be different than those describedherein.

Additionally, the cooling package 58 may be positioned at a higherlocation within the rear mounted engine compartment 26 than the dieselparticulate filter 54. As used herein, “positioned at a higherlocation,” with respect to the cooling package 58, means that thecooling package 58 is situated above or elevated relative to the dieselparticulate filter 54. Specifically, the cooling package 58 ispositioned above the diesel particulate filter 54 relative to agravitational pull. In addition to being positioned at a higher locationthan the diesel particulate filter 54, the blower fan 124 of the coolingpackage 58 may be positioned substantially above the diesel particulatefilter 54. Specifically, a cylinder C₁ defined by a diameter D₁ of theblower fan 124 and extending downward through the lower portion 42 ofthe rear mounted engine compartment 26 may enclose at least a portion ofthe diesel particulate filter 54. The airflow within the rear mountedengine compartment 26 resulting from the positioning of the coolingpackage 58 relative to the diesel particulate filter 54 will bediscussed below in greater detail.

Specifically, and referring to FIGS. 2-4, when the skid steer machine 10is operated, the rear mounted engine compartment 26 may be cooled usingambient air pulled around the internal combustion engine 50 and thediesel particulate filter 54 by the blower fan 124 of the coolingpackage 58. Specifically, ambient air may be drawn sequentially throughthe rear facing grille 68 and the rear mounted engine compartment 26using the blower fan 124. According to one embodiment, ambient air maybe blocked from being drawn in through first and second sides 48 of therear mounted engine compartment 26 using the pair of sidewalls 32 (shownin FIG. 1). Ambient air may also be significantly blocked from enteringthe rear mounted engine compartment 26 through the bottom portion 42 ofthe engine compartment 26 by the skid steer machine frame 14. Therefore,ambient air may generally travel through the rear facing grille 68 andbe pulled upward through the cooling package 58 and the top portion 40of the rear mounted engine compartment 26 using the blower fan 124 ofthe cooling package 58 and the venturi opening 108 of the exhaust stack102.

Heat transmission into the operator cage 12 may be reduced using adouble wall arrangement. The double wall arrangement may include therear wall 60 of the operator cage 12 and the firewall 62 positioned nearthe front portion 44 of the rear mounted engine compartment 26 betweenthe diesel particulate filter 54 and the rear wall 60. Such anarrangement may be particularly useful during regeneration of the dieselparticulate filter 54, when exhaust temperatures may reach 600 degreesCelsius or higher. In addition to protecting operators seated in theoperator cage 12 from high temperature exposure, it should beappreciated that the diesel particulate filter packaging arrangementdescribed herein also reduces high temperature exposure for bystanders.Specifically, the diesel particulate filter 54 may be sufficientlyshielded using the internal combustion engine 50, sidewalls 32, andfirewall 62. However, the diesel particulate filter 54 may still beaccessed for maintenance purposes and the like via the rear wall 60 andfirewall 62. Further, additional components that may be accessedfrequently for maintenance or other purposes may be positioned asufficient distance from the diesel particulate filter 54 to avoid hightemperature exposure. For example, for maintenance of the skid steermachine 10, an operator probably should not reach across or be within 12inches of the diesel particulate filter 54 when touching components suchas the engine oil dipstick, engine oil fill, engine oil filter,hydraulic oil filter, coolant overflow bottle, fuel fill, fuelfilter/water separator, or air cleaner, without insulating or guardingthe diesel particulate filter 54.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is shown generally in FIG. 5,with reference also being made to FIGS. 1 and 2. Specifically, a coolingpackage 150 comprised of a unitary assembly 152 that may be pivotablymounted to the skid steer machine frame 14 is shown. The unitaryassembly 152 may include at least a first heat exchanger 154 and asecond heat exchanger 156 positioned in parallel with respect to anairflow. For example, the first heat exchanger 154 may include aradiator 158, while the second heat exchanger 156 may include ahydraulic oil cooler 160. An additional heat exchanger 162, such as, forexample, an air to air aftercooler 164, may also be provided, and may bepositioned in parallel with the first and second heat exchangers 154 and156 with respect to an airflow. Although specific heat exchangers aredescribed, it should be appreciated that the cooling package 150described herein may include any number and/or arrangement of heatexchangers positioned in parallel with respect to an airflow. Theunitary assembly 152 may also include at least one heat exchanger hose166 having a first end 168 attached to one of the heat exchangers,namely heat exchanger 154, and a second end 170 free from attachment.Additional hoses or conduits may also be provided for properlyconnecting components of the unitary assembly 152 with the skid steermachine 10. A shroud 172 may be connected to one or more of the heatexchangers 154, 156, and 162 and, preferably, is connected to each ofthe heat exchangers 154, 156, and 162, as shown. A blower fan 174 ispositioned within the shroud 172, and is shielded using a grille 176positioned around the blower fan 174 and connected to the shroud 172. Adrive mechanism 178, such as a motor or engine or other similarmechanism, has an output 180 connected to the blower fan 174.

The unitary assembly 152 may be pivotably mounted to the skid steermachine frame 14 using at least one pivotable mounting assembly 182. Forexample, the unitary assembly 152 may include a pair of pivotablemounting assemblies 182 positioned at opposing sides 184 of the coolingpackage 150 and oriented along a centrally located pivot axis A₄. Assuch, the cooling package 150 may be pivotable about the centrallylocated pivot axis A₄, when mounted to the skid steer machine frame 14.The centrally located pivot axis A₄ may be sufficiently close to acenter of mass of the cooling package 150 that a force required to movethe cooling package 150 from an operational position to a maintenanceposition, both of which are discussed below, is less than a maximumoperator required force. For example, a maximum operator required forcemay be 35 pounds, or any other weight below which it is assumed anoperator will be able to lift without any assistance.

According to the exemplary embodiment, each of the pair of pivotablemounting assemblies 182 includes a cooling package portion 186 and askid steer machine frame portion 188. Specifically, the cooling packageportion 186 may include an axle 190 extending outwardly from the coolingpackage 150 and defining the centrally located pivot axis A₄. The skidsteer machine frame portion 188 may include any fastening feature, suchas screws, bolts, nuts, washers, and the like, suitable for connectingthe cooling package portion 186 with the skid steer machine frameportion 188. It should be appreciated that the “cooling packageportion,” as used herein, may represent one or more features of amounting assembly that are attached to or integral with the coolingpackage 150, while the “skid steer machine frame portion,” may representone or more features of a mounting assembly that are attached to orintegral with the skid steer machine frame 14. The skid steer machineframe 14, with reference to at least this aspect of the presentdisclosure, may include sidewalls 32.

The cooling package 150 also includes at least one non-metallicvibration isolator, such as a rubber vibration isolator, positionedbetween the cooling package 150 and the skid steer machine frame 14 forisolating the cooling package 150 from vibrations of the skid steermachine frame 14 while the skid steer machine 10 is being operated or,more specifically, while the internal combustion engine 50 is runningAccording to the exemplary embodiment, a plurality of non-metallicvibration isolation elements may be utilized. For example, anon-metallic vibration isolation element 192 may be positioned betweenthe cooling package portion 186 and the skid steer machine frame portion188 of the pivotable mounting assemblies 182. Specifically, each of theoutwardly extending axles 190 may be rotated within the non-metallicvibration isolation element 192 in order to pivot the cooling package150. Further, skid steer machine frame portion 188 may include afastening feature for securing the non-metallic vibration isolationelement 192, and outwardly extending axle 190 positioned therein, to theskid steer machine frame 14.

Referring also to FIG. 6, the cooling package 150 may also include apair of stationary mounting assemblies 194 positioned on the opposingsides 184 of the cooling package 150 for fixedly attaching the coolingpackage 150 to the skid steer machine frame 14. Each of the pair ofstationary mounting assemblies 194 may include a cooling package portion196 and a skid steer machine frame portion 198. Further, according tothe exemplary embodiment, a non-metallic vibration isolation element200, which may be made from a rubber or other elastic material, may bepositioned between the cooling package portion 196 and the skid steermachine frame portion 198. According to one embodiment, the coolingpackage portion 196 may include a flange having an opening therethroughfor receiving a fastener or other similar device. The skid steer machineframe portion 198 may include a fastener, which may include any knownfastening device, for attaching the cooling package 150 to the skidsteer machine frame 14 and securing the non-metallic vibration isolationelement 200 therebetween.

Referring also to FIGS. 7 and 8, a prop rod assembly 210 may also beprovided and may include a prop rod 212 having a first end 214 pivotablyattached to the skid steer machine frame 14 and a second end 216 securedto the skid steer machine using a prop rod clip 218. The unitaryassembly 152 may include a prop rod seating feature 220, such as, forexample, an opening, for receiving the second end 216 of the prop rod212, which may include a hooked shape. Alternatively, however, the firstend 214 of the prop rod 212 may be attached to the unitary assembly 152,and secured using a prop rod clip 218, while the skid steer machineframe 14 may include the prop rod seating feature 220 for receiving thesecond end 216 of the prop rod 212. It should be appreciated that theprop rod assemblies are known in the art and may include any structuresthat are sized and positioned for securing a pivoted or upward positionof a pivotable structure. Although a prop rod assembly 210 is shown, itshould be appreciated that any suitable means for supporting the coolingpackage 150 in a pivoted position may be substituted for the prop rodassembly 210. Alternatively, however, some embodiments may not includeany means for securing a pivoted position of the cooling package 150.

The cooling package 150 may be pivotable between an operationalposition, shown in FIG. 7, and a maintenance position, shown in FIG. 8.Specifically, in the operational position, the stationary mountingassemblies 194 may be secured such that the non-metallic vibrationisolation elements 200 (shown in FIG. 5) may be distorted in compressionwhile the cooling package 150 is maintained in the operational position.When the skid steer machine 10 is operated, and the internal combustionengine 50 is running, the non-metallic vibration isolation elements 192(shown in FIG. 5) and 200 of both the pivotable mounting assemblies 182and the stationary mounting assemblies 194, respectively, may isolatethe cooling package 150 from vibrations of the skid steer machine 10 or,more specifically, the skid steer machine frame 14. When operation ofthe skid steer machine 10 is stopped, and the internal combustion engine50 is not running, the operator may unfasten the stationary mountingassemblies 194 and pivot the cooling package 150 using the pivotablemounting assemblies 182 to the maintenance position, shown in FIG. 8.

The prop rod assembly 210, or other similar components, may be utilizedto maintain the maintenance position of the cooling package 150.Specifically, the prop rod assembly 210 may be moved from a releasedconfiguration of FIG. 7, in which the cooling package 150 may remainfixed in the operational position, to an engaged configuration of FIG.8, in which the cooling package 150 is supported in the maintenanceposition. While the cooling package 150 is in the maintenance positionthe operator may perform certain maintenance procedures on the coolingpackage 150 or other components of the rear mounted engine compartment26. For example, compressed air may be directed into the rear mountedengine compartment 26 to clean dirt and debris from surfaces therein.

Referring back to FIG. 5, the unitary assembly 152 may be provided as aseparate, or stand-alone, assembly. Specifically, the unitary assembly152 will not include the skid steer machine 10, but will comprise anindependent entity. The unitary assembly 152 may or may not be providedwith the pivotable mounting assemblies 182 and the stationary mountingassemblies 194, or portions thereof, but will at least include theoutwardly extending axles 190. According to the exemplary embodiment,one or more of the heat exchangers 154, 156, and 162 may include acasting and the outwardly extending axles 190 may be integral with thecasting. For example, the radiator 158, the hydraulic oil cooler 160,and the outwardly extending axles 190 may all be formed from onecasting. The air to air aftercooler 164 may be bolted onto the casting,as shown, or may also be an integral part of the casting. Additionalheat exchangers may be similarly attached. When installing the unitaryassembly 152 onto the skid steer machine 10, the one or more heatexchanger hoses 166 and the drive mechanism 178 may be properlyconnected with appropriate components of the skid steer machine 10, andmay be pivotably mounted to the skid steer machine frame 14 using thepivotable mounting assemblies 182. Stationary mounting assemblies 194,if provided, may also be used to secure the unitary assembly 152 to theskid steer machine frame 14.

Although the non-metallic vibration isolation elements 192 and 200 areshown as part of the mounting assemblies 182 and 194, it should beappreciated that one or more non-metallic vibration isolators may beprovided that are separate from the mounting assemblies 182 and 194. Forexample, one or more non-metallic vibration isolators may be providedbetween the cooling package 150 and the skid steer machine frame 14, andmay be attached to either of the cooling package 150 and the skid steermachine frame 14. In embodiments utilizing these alternativenon-metallic vibration isolators, the mounting assemblies 182 and 194may or may not include the non-metallic vibration isolation 192 and 200.

Turning now to FIG. 9, an additional aspect of the present disclosure isshown. Specifically, according to the depicted embodiment, exhaust gasexiting an exhaust stack outlet 230 is mixed with cooling air exiting acooling package outlet 232 in a high temperature zone 234 surroundingthe exhaust stack outlet 230 to form a fluid mixture. Specifically, thecooling package outlet 232 and the exhaust stack outlet 230 arepositioned such that the exhaust gas exiting the exhaust stack outlet230 may define an exhaust gas vector V₁ that intersects an upwardlyextending cylinder C₁ (shown also in FIG. 4) defined by the blower fan124 (shown in FIG. 4) within the high temperature zone 234. According toa specific embodiment, the cooling air exiting the cooling packageoutlet 232 defines a cooling air vector V₂, and the exhaust gas vectorV₁ may intersect the cooling air vector V₂ within the high temperaturezone 234.

According to the exemplary embodiment, the high temperature zone 234 mayinclude a sphere 236, with the exhaust stack outlet 230 defining acenter of the sphere 236. According to one embodiment, a radius R₁ ofthe sphere 236 is about 18 inches. However, it should be appreciatedthat the positioning of the exhaust stack 102 relative to the coolingpackage 58, and the angle at which exhaust gas is directed into the air,or cooling air, exiting the cooling package 58 may vary. For example,such parameters may depend upon the temperatures and velocities of theair exiting each component and the desired cooling to be achieved. Itshould also be appreciated that, although both the exhaust gas and thecooling package air are shown as being exhausted in a substantiallyupward fashion, the exhaust gas and/or cooling package air may beexhausted from the machine 10 in any direction, as long as the coolingdescribed herein is achieved.

It has been shown that by mixing the exhaust gas with the coolingpackage air, as described herein, temperatures less than 200 degreesCelsius at a perimeter 238 of the high temperature zone 234 may beachieved. In fact, testing has revealed that temperatures less than 150degrees Celsius may be achieved at the perimeter 238 of the hightemperature zone 234. Such temperatures may be achieved even duringdiesel particulate filter regeneration, such as an active regeneration,when exhaust temperatures are very high. For example, temperatures atthe diesel particulate filter outlet 94 (shown in FIG. 3) may be around600 degrees Celsius during regeneration, and around 325 degrees Celsiusdownstream of the venturi opening 108 (also shown in FIG. 3). Althoughone is not shown, it should be appreciated that a guard or otherstructure may be provided around the high temperature zone 234 to shieldoperators, bystanders, or flammable materials from the high temperatureswithin the high temperature zone 234.

A method of controlling a regeneration event, such as an activeregeneration event facilitated by an active regeneration system, such asregeneration system 95 of FIG. 3, may be implemented to ensureacceptable cooling of the fluid mixture described above during dieselparticulate filter regeneration. Specifically, the electronic controlmodule 97 may be in control communication with the active regenerationsystem 95 and may include a regeneration control algorithm operable todetect a speed of the blower fan 124. Such a strategy may bespecifically applicable to a machine, such as the skid steer machine 10,utilizing the mixing strategy described above. According to such anembodiment, the electronic control module 97 may include a regenerationdetection algorithm operable to detect a soot buildup threshold withinthe diesel particulate filter 54. Specifically, the electronic controlmodule 97 may be in control communication with the backpressure sensor98, or temperature sensor, of the active regeneration system to detectthe soot buildup threshold. However, alternative means for detecting thesoot buildup threshold, which may represent a buildup amount beyondwhich performance of the internal combustion engine 50 may be negativelyimpacted, are also contemplated. The regeneration detection algorithmmay run continuously to detect when the diesel particulate filter 54 isin need of regeneration.

When the regeneration detection algorithm detects a need forregeneration, the algorithm may be operable to initiate the regenerationcontrol algorithm. Specifically, such initiation may be in response todetection of the soot buildup threshold. Referring to FIG. 10, flowchart 250 represents an exemplary method of controlling a regenerationevent of the diesel particulate filter 54. The method begins at a START,Box 252. From Box 252, the method may proceed to Box 254, which includesa step of detecting a speed of the blower fan 124, which is preferablyan electronically controlled blower fan. The blower fan speed may thenbe compared to a desired regeneration fan speed, at Box 256. The desiredregeneration fan speed may be stored in memory and may be selected tomaintain a temperature of the fluid mixture at the perimeter 238 of thehigh temperature zone 234 below 200 degrees Celsius or, more preferably,below 150 degrees Celsius. The desired regeneration fan speed may beselected based on temperatures and velocities of air exiting the coolingpackage 150 and the exhaust stack 102 and may take into considerationany of a number of relevant factors.

The regeneration control algorithm may be further operable to trigger aregeneration event if the speed of the blower fan 124 is equal to orgreater than the desired regeneration fan speed. Specifically, if it isdetermined at Box 258 that the blower fan speed is equal to or greaterthan the desired regeneration fan speed, the method proceeds to Box 260and active regeneration is initiated. For example, if it is determinedthat the speed of the blower fan 124 is sufficient to achieve fluidmixture temperatures below 200 degrees Celsius or, preferably, below 150degrees Celsius at the perimeter 238 of the high temperature zone 234and regeneration is needed, the active regeneration of the dieselparticulate filter 54 may be initiated.

However, if it is determined at Box 258 that the speed of the blower fan124 is less than the desired regeneration fan speed, the speed of theblower fan 124 may be increased at Box 262. For example, the blower fanspeed may be increased to at least the desired regeneration fan speed,and then regeneration may be initiated at Box 260. According to oneembodiment, the electronic controller 97 may send a signal toelectronically controlled blower fan 124 to increase the blower fanspeed to the desired regeneration fan speed. After regeneration has beeninitiated, the method proceeds to an END, Box 264.

An alternative method of controlling a regeneration event of the dieselparticulate filter 54 is shown in a flow chart 270 of FIG. 11. Thealternative method begins at a START, Box 272. From Box 272, the methodmay proceed to Box 274, which includes a step of detecting a speed ofthe blower fan 124. The blower fan speed may then be compared to adesired regeneration fan speed, at Box 276. If it is determined at Box278 that the blower fan speed is equal to or greater than the desiredregeneration fan speed, the method proceeds to Box 280 and theregeneration event is initiated.

However, if it is determined at Box 278 that the speed of the blower fan124 is less than the desired regeneration fan speed, the regenerationcontrol algorithm may be operable to delay a regeneration event, at Box282. Specifically, even though regeneration is needed, dieselparticulate filter regeneration may be delayed for a predeterminedperiod of time or until one or more preconditions are met. For example,regeneration may be delayed until the blower fan speed is sufficient toachieve the desired fluid mixture temperatures at the perimeter 238 ofthe high temperature zone 234 during diesel particulate filterregeneration. The regeneration control algorithm may detect the blowerfan speed at predetermined intervals and proceed with regeneration, atBox 280, when the blower fan speed is equal to or greater than thedesired regeneration fan speed. After regeneration has been initiated,the method proceeds to an END, Box 284.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure may find particular applicability to exhaustsystems and cooling systems of machines. Further, the present disclosuremay be particularly applicable to machines with exhaust systemsincorporating a diesel particulate filter. The present disclosure may bespecifically applicable to skid steer machines, or the like, requiring adiesel particulate filter positioned within the space constraints of arear mounted engine compartment.

Referring to FIGS. 1-11, an exemplary embodiment of a skid steer machine10 includes an operator cage 12 supported on a skid steer machine frame14, a pair of lift arms 16 pivotably attached to the skid steer machineframe 14 behind the operator cage 12 and extending longitudinally onboth sides 18 of the operator cage 12, and a rear mounted enginecompartment 26 supported on the skid steer machine frame 14. The rearmounted engine compartment 26 includes an internal combustion engine 50,a diesel particulate filter 54 fluidly connected to the internalcombustion engine 50 and positioned between the internal combustionengine 50 and the operator cage 12, and a cooling package 58 having apredominantly horizontal orientation. The cooling package 58, which mayinclude a unitary assembly 152, is at a higher location within the rearmounted engine compartment 26 than the diesel particulate filter 54.

During operation of the skid steer machine 10, and according to theexemplary embodiment provided herein, the rear mounted enginecompartment 26, including the area surrounding the diesel particulatefilter 54, may be cooled using the horizontally oriented cooling package58. Specifically, the blower fan 124 may draw ambient air through therear facing grille 68 and around components of the rear mounted enginecompartment 26 before exhausting the cooling air through the top portion40 of the rear mounted engine compartment 26. This cooling air drawnthrough the rear mounted engine compartment 26 may be drawn into theexhaust stack 102 downstream of the diesel particulate filter 54 throughthe venturi opening 108 to cool exhaust gas expelled from the internalcombustion engine 50. The cooled exhaust gas, which may still have atemperature exceeding 300 degrees Celsius, particularly during an activeregeneration of the diesel particulate filter 54, is exhausted throughthe top portion 40 of the rear mounted engine compartment 26.

The high temperature exhaust exiting the rear mounted engine compartment26 may be mixed with the cooling air exhausted from the cooling package58. Specifically, the exhaust stack 102 may be positioned in closeenough proximity to the outlet 232 of the cooling package 58 that theexhaust gas may be directed into the cooling air. According to aspecific example, the exhaust gas exiting the exhaust stack outlet 230may define a vector V₁ that intersects with a cooling air vector V₂defined by the cooling air exiting the cooling package outlet 232. Theexhaust gas and cooling package air mix within a high temperature zone234, which may include a sphere 236 surrounding the exhaust stack outlet230, to form a fluid mixture. This mixing strategy, as described herein,may cool the exhaust gas such that the temperature of the fluid mixtureat the perimeter 238 of the high temperature zone 234 is below 200degrees Celsius and, preferably, may be below 150 degrees Celsius.

A regeneration detection algorithm may run continuously on an electroniccontrol module, such as, for example, electronic control module 97, todetect a soot buildup threshold of the diesel particulate filter 54.This soot buildup threshold, which may indicate a need for dieselparticulate filter regeneration, may initiate a regeneration controlalgorithm of the electronic control module 97. The regeneration controlalgorithm may be operable to detect a speed of the blower fan 124 andcompare it to a desired regeneration fan speed to determine whether thecurrent blower fan speed is sufficient to cool the exhaust gas exitingthe exhaust stack outlet 230 as described above. If the current blowerfan speed is acceptable, active regeneration of the diesel particulatefilter 54 may be initiated. However, if the current blower fan speed isdetermined to be insufficient, the regeneration control algorithm mayincrease the speed of the blower fan 124 to match or exceed the desiredregeneration fan speed. Alternatively, the regeneration controlalgorithm may delay active regeneration of the diesel particulate filter54 until the blower fan speed is sufficient.

During operation of the skid steer machine 10, at least one non-metallicvibration isolator, discussed above, may be positioned between thecooling package 150 and the skid steer machine frame 14 to isolate thecooling package 150 from vibrations of the skid steer machine frame 14.After operation of the skid steer machine 10, the internal combustionengine 50 may be stopped and one or more maintenance tasks may beperformed. To improve access to components within the rear mountedengine compartment 26, the cooling package 150, which may include theunitary assembly 152 described above, may be pivoted from an operationalposition (shown in FIG. 7) to a maintenance position (shown in FIG. 8).Specifically, according to the exemplary embodiment, a pair ofstationary mounting assemblies 194 may be unfastened and the coolingpackage 150 may be pivoted about a centrally located pivot axis A₄ usinga pair of pivotable mounting assemblies 182. The maintenance positionmay be maintained using a prop rod assembly 210 or other similarstructure.

By packaging the diesel particulate filter 54 within the rear mountedengine compartment 26 as disclosed herein, the likelihood of an operatoror bystander inadvertently contacting the diesel particulate filter 54,which can reach very high temperatures, is reduced. Specifically, thediesel particulate filter 54 is inaccessible from the back portion 46,or rear, because it is blocked by the internal combustion engine 50, andis blocked from the sides 48 by the pair of sidewalls 32. This isparticularly useful during regeneration of the diesel particulate filter54, when temperatures of the exhaust traveling through the dieselparticulate filter 54 may reach 600 degrees Celsius. The double wallarrangement, including the firewall 62, serves to reduce heattransmission into the operator cage 12. The orientation and positioningof the cooling package 58 is selected to achieve desired cooling of therear mounted engine compartment 26, including the area and componentssurrounding the diesel particulate filter 54. The venturi opening 108assists in moving air upward in the area surrounding the dieselparticulate filter 54, thus cooling components in close proximity to thediesel particulate filter 54.

According to another aspect, a cooling package 150 may be provided as aunitary assembly 152. As such, the cooling package 150 may be producedand shipped separately from the skid steer machine 10 and may be mountedto the skid steer machine frame 14 at a later time. The unitary assembly152 may be pivotably mounted to the skid steer machine frame 14 suchthat it is pivotable between the operational position of the coolingpackage 150 and the maintenance position of the cooling package 150. Inaddition, the cooling package 150, which does not include a frame, mayinclude one or more non-metallic vibration isolators, which isolate thecooling package 150 from vibrations of the skid steer machine frame 14.According to the exemplary embodiment, the mounting assemblies 182 and194 may provide the only attachment of cooling package 150 to skid steermachine frame 14, except for any necessary fluid or electricalconnections, and may include the non-metallic vibration isolationelements 192 and 200. By utilizing the non-metallic vibration isolationelements 192 and 200 described herein, as opposed to a cooling packageframe, to isolate the cooling package 150 from movements of the skidsteer machine frame 14, the space that may have been occupied by thecooling package frame may be used by one or more heat exchangers 154,156, and 162. Specifically, the one or more heat exchangers 154, 156,and 162 may have an increased size and, as a result, increased heattransfer capabilities, which may be particularly useful in skid steermachines having limited space constraints and additional exhaustaftertreatment requirements.

According to another aspect, the exhaust gas exiting the exhaust stackoutlet 230 may be directed into the air exiting the cooling packageoutlet 232. By mixing the exhaust gas and the cooling air to form afluid mixture, a temperature of the fluid mixture at a perimeter 238 ofa high temperature zone 234 may be significantly reduced. Specifically,according to some embodiments, the temperature of the fluid mixture atthe perimeter 238 of the high temperature zone 234 may be at or below150 degrees Celsius, even during active regeneration of the dieselparticulate filter 54. This may help reduce high temperature exposurefor operators, bystanders, or flammable materials that are in closeproximity of the skid steer machine 10 during its operation.

According to yet another aspect, a control strategy may be provided toensure a sufficient speed of the blower fan 124 during regeneration ofthe diesel particulate filter 54. Specifically, the control strategy maybe operable to determine when regeneration is needed and, in response,detect the blower fan speed. If the blower fan speed is equal to orabove a desired regeneration fan speed, the regeneration event may beinitiated. Otherwise, an alternative control strategy may beimplemented. For example, the speed of the blower fan 124 may beincreased to at least the desired regeneration fan speed, or,alternatively, the regeneration event may be delayed until the blowerfan speed is acceptable.

Although aspects of the present disclosure were described with referenceto skid steer machine 10, it should be appreciated that many of thefeatures and advantages described herein may have broad applicabilityacross a wide range of machines. For example, many of the featuresdescribed herein may be applicable to wheel loaders, off highway trucks,articulated trucks, and the like.

It should be understood that the above description is intended forillustrative purposes only, and is not intended to limit the scope ofthe present disclosure in any way. Thus, those skilled in the art willappreciate that other aspects of the disclosure can be obtained from astudy of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.

1. A machine, comprising: a machine frame; an internal combustion enginedisposed within an engine compartment and supported on the machineframe; an exhaust stack having an inlet fluidly connected to an exhaustmanifold of the internal combustion engine and an outlet in fluidcommunication with ambient air, wherein a diesel particulate filter isdisposed along the exhaust stack; and a cooling package including atleast one heat exchanger and a blower fan, wherein the blower fan isconfigured to blow cooling air from the engine compartment sequentiallythrough the at least one heat exchanger and an outlet of the coolingpackage; wherein exhaust gas exiting the exhaust stack outlet is mixedwith the cooling air exiting the cooling package outlet in a hightemperature zone surrounding the exhaust stack outlet to form a fluidmixture, and a temperature of the fluid mixture at a perimeter of thehigh temperature zone is below 200 degrees Celsius.
 2. The machine ofclaim 1, wherein the exhaust gas exiting the exhaust stack outletdefines an exhaust gas vector that intersects an upwardly extendingcylinder defined by the blower fan within the high temperature zone. 3.The machine of claim 2, wherein the cooling air exiting the coolingpackage outlet defines a cooling air vector, wherein the exhaust gasvector intersects the cooling air vector within the high temperaturezone
 4. The machine of claim 2, wherein the high temperature zoneincludes a sphere, and the exhaust stack outlet includes a center of thesphere.
 5. The machine of claim 4, wherein a radius of the sphere is 18inches.
 6. The machine of claim 5, wherein the temperature of the fluidmixture at the perimeter of the high temperature zone is below 150degrees Celsius.
 7. The machine of claim 2, further including an activeregeneration system for regenerating the diesel particulate filter. 8.The machine of claim 7, wherein the exhaust stack includes a venturiopening.
 9. The machine of claim 2, wherein the machine is a skid steermachine including an operator cage supported on a skid steer machineframe, and a pair of lift arms pivotably attached to the skid steermachine frame behind the operator cage and extending longitudinally onboth sides of the operator cage.
 10. The machine of claim 9, wherein theengine compartment is a rear mounted engine compartment positionedbehind the operator cage.
 11. The machine of claim 2, wherein the blowerfan is configured to blow air sequentially through the at least one heatexchanger and a top portion of the engine compartment, and the exhauststack outlet is positioned through the top portion of the enginecompartment.
 12. A method of operating a machine, wherein the machineincludes an internal combustion engine disposed within an enginecompartment and supported on a machine frame, an exhaust stack having aninlet fluidly connected to an exhaust manifold of the internalcombustion engine and an outlet in fluid communication with ambient air,wherein a diesel particulate filter is disposed along the exhaust stack,and a cooling package including at least one heat exchanger and a blowerfan, wherein the blower fan is configured to blow cooling air from theengine compartment sequentially through the at least one heat exchangerand an outlet of the cooling package, the method including the steps of:exhausting the cooling air from the blower fan through the coolingpackage outlet; exhausting exhaust gas through the exhaust stack outletat an exhaust temperature above 300 degrees Celsius; mixing the exhaustgas with the cooling air in a high temperature zone surrounding theexhaust stack outlet to form a fluid mixture; and reducing a temperatureof the fluid mixture at a perimeter of the high temperature zone below200 degrees Celsius.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step ofexhausting the exhaust gas includes directing the exhaust gas into thecooling air exhausted through the cooling package outlet within the hightemperature zone.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step ofexhausting the exhaust gas includes intersecting an exhaust gas vectordefined by the exhaust gas exiting the exhaust stack outlet with acooling air vector defined by the cooling air exiting the coolingpackage outlet.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the mixing stepincludes mixing the exhaust gas with the cooling air in a sphere havinga center defined by the exhaust stack outlet.
 16. The method of claim15, wherein the mixing step includes mixing the exhaust gas with thecooling air within 18 inches of the exhaust stack outlet.
 17. The methodof claim 13, further including actively regenerating the dieselparticulate filter.
 18. The method of claim 17, further includingcooling exhaust gas exiting the diesel particulate filter using enginecompartment air entrained into the exhaust gas through a venturi openingof the exhaust stack.
 19. The method of claim 13, wherein the step ofexhausting the cooling air includes blowing the cooling air from theblower fan through a top portion of the engine compartment, and the stepof exhausting the exhaust gas includes exhausting the exhaust gasthrough the top portion of the engine compartment.